Asbestos Lung Diseases You Can Catch From Asbestos Dusts
An increasing number of people are found to be afflicted with lung cancer in the recent years. A careful look shows that many of these lung diseases that people have are directly related to asbestos.
There are several asbestos lung diseases that a patient can develop due to his continuous exposure to asbestos. The scary fact is since so many household materials have been built from asbestos, we really cannot tell if we have already been exposed too much.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by the small fibers from asbestos. Once inhaled, these fibers can accumulate in the stomach or chest affecting the cell lining at the pleura (sacs of the chest or lungs) or the abdomen. People with mesothelioma often complain of shortness of breath and chest pain. As the disease progresses, the patient will experience more episodes of shortness of breath, weight loss, loss of appetite, and night sweats.
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a form of pneumoconiosis. This is an asbestos lung disease where damage occurs at the interior areas of the lungs. This is also due to the inhalation of the asbestos dusts. Since the human lungs are made up of alveoli where carbon dioxide and oxygen pass through, there will be interruptions where this natural system is concerned should there be asbestos dusts in the alveoli. These fibers can damage the alveoli extensively.
Pleural plaques
Pleural plaques refer to the scarring or inflammation of the membranes surrounding the lungs. It is not fatal but the patient will experience discomfort and pain in breathing. It could be a symptom or a precursor to a deadlier asbestos lung disease.
Pleural thickening
Pleural thickening occurs when the pleural or sacs of the lungs thickens and hardens. This is due to the presence of a great amount of asbestos fibers that can really harm the lungs. Patients would find it difficult to breathe when they have this asbestos lung disease.
For people who are suffering from asbestos related lung disease, they are in need of both legal and medical help.
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